The Master of Nets Garden(Chinese:网师园;pinyin:wǎngshīyuán) is one of the four famous gardens in Suzhou, which has also won the titles of world cultural heritage site, a scenic spot of national 4A level and historical and cultural relics under state protection. The garden is first constructed in the Song Dynasty (1174 A.D.) with an original name “Fisher’s Shelter”. Its present layout, as well as the present name, has not come into being until the Qing Dynasty while Emperor Qianlong was ruling the country (around 1965A.D.). Being a typical private garden, which combines residence and garden into on unit and the representative work of Suzhou gardens of modest size, Master of Nets Garden is characterized with its water scenes, its perfect proportions and its exquisite design. This ancient and well-preserved garden is divided into residences in the east and a garden in the west. The two parts are harmoniously united to express an integral whole. The wooden buildings, doors, windows, and partition boards were all crafted with great care and artistic flourishes. Every hall has lattices with semi-transparent panes, with artificial hills outside. The pond at the center, surrounded by flowers, trees, artificial hills, rocks and buildings presents the main vista in the garden. The late Spring Cottage in the northwest of the garden, a masterpiece in garden design, is known for its exquisite, graceful courtyard and plain, neat buildings.
The Classical Night Garden Party in Master of Nets Garden is highly welcomed by the guests at home and aboard.
Every year from middle of March to middle of November, there are 8 night shows from 19:30 to 22:00, each program will last for about 10 minutes and the guests can enjoy the shows whenever they join in.
When the night falls, with yellowy clearance lights and scarlet palace lanterns outlining the pavilions and platforms along the river, grace and elegancy can be found everywhere in this River South garden. Actors and actress in ancient theatrical costumes of generous local styles play Ping Tan, Kun Qu, Di Xiao, Chinese zither, folk music and folk dancing for the guests in the halls or pavilions, representing a fantastic scene of "One show in one hall, shows changing while guests changing".
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